Mercedes development driver Joshua Dürksen targets racing in every major championship
Mercedes junior driver Joshua Dürksen outlines an unconventional career goal: to race in every major series, including F1, Formula E, IndyCar, WEC, and even the Dakar Rally. The F2 race winner, set for his first F1 test with Mercedes, prioritizes a complete motorsport experience over specializing in a single category.
Mercedes development driver Joshua Dürksen has declared his life's ambition is to compete in every major motorsport category, from Formula 1 to the Dakar Rally, refusing to limit his career to a single series. The 22-year-old Paraguayan, currently racing in F2, emphasizes his love for driving any car and experiencing all facets of motorsport before he retires.
Why it matters:
In an era of increasing specialization, Dürksen's "complete experience" philosophy represents a different and ambitious path for a modern racing driver. His goals highlight the expanding opportunities across global motorsport and the appeal of diverse racing disciplines beyond the traditional ladder to F1.
The details:
- Dürksen, who joined Mercedes at the start of the year, is set for his first run in an F1 car soon through a TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) test with the team.
- He currently drives for Invicta Racing in Formula 2, where he won the season-opening sprint race in Australia.
- His recent activities include a Formula E rookie test for Citroën in Madrid, showcasing his active pursuit of opportunities outside the F1 feeder series.
- When discussing future categories, he expressed clear interest in:
- Formula 1
- Formula E (specifically citing excitement for the upcoming Gen4 car)
- IndyCar
- WEC (World Endurance Championship)
- GT racing
- Rallying, including the Dakar Rally
What's next:
Dürksen's immediate focus remains on his F2 campaign, with the series' debut in Miami next on the calendar. However, his Mercedes development role and open-minded approach position him uniquely. While 2026 will be his third F2 season, his broad ambition suggests his career path may not follow a conventional trajectory, potentially leading to a versatile portfolio of racing engagements across multiple top-tier championships in the coming years.